Asia is filled with tales just waiting to be told and one can learn more about Secret Retreats through our story.
Told through the eyes of a young man named Kim who ventures out on a quest across Asia to both discover new experiences as well as his own history, we hope our story encourages you to journey on your own.
“ I have no culture, no country. I belong
to them all” my father used to say
Kim, the discoverer.
An elegant man with a refined spirit, he was an intriguing sort. Just like ancient explorers, for him taking the voyage was, before anything else, always about enriching one’s spirit.
After his impromptu demise, I was raised by my uncle, an adventurous soul and avid antiques connoisseur. He made me a man of the world, laden with a humanistic culture. From the vast plains of Africa to the museums in Florence, he taught me to be attentive to all walks of life. My education comprised everything from joining the stars to form constellations with my finger pointed at the night sky, to listening to music composed by Franz Liszt on the Danube to understanding world history through archaeology.
Our journey together ended one beautiful, peaceful evening at the foot of Mount Athos, whilst gazing at sun’s final rays setting over the Aegean Sea in Macedonia. My mentor was leaving in search of a more meditative life. Just before he departed, he placed a medallion around my neck and handed me a slightly sallow letter written years before by my father, encouraging me to explore the temples of Angkor Wat, revealing that there I would discover the emblem’s mystical secret.
At the address indicated in my letter, I meet up with one of my father’s dearest friends. The soft-spoken sage meticulously inspects my heirloom, then proceeds to draw me a mysterious and intriguing itinerary with his beautiful calligraphy brush, which he inks onto a thin sheet of rice paper. Upon presenting it to me, he slowly and quietly says: “Follow this route, my dear Kim, and along the way you shall meet men and women that will welcome you in unconventional and wondrous ways. Perhaps they can help you in your quest to identify the meaning behind your precious medallion. Each of these masterful creators, in their own individual and unique manner, is passionate about the arts, antiques, cuisine and the indigenous culture that surrounds them. Shunning traditional hospitality experiences, they prefer instead to offer intimate, experiential opportunities, which reflect the pure essence of their domain. Often secluded and at times evoking a feeling akin to being on the edge of the world, discretion in these private domains mirrors exceptional beauty and tranquillity. These hosts will speak with you about the programs they are involved in to help their local community. They will tell you how they are trying to help save the planet with their sustainability and eco-friendly methods. They know how to give because it is their first and foremost vocation.”
Amid early dawn’s pale aura and its misty foggy ribbons, a mysterious temple unveils herself. Sated, I abandon my view of the dancers frozen in eternity in the bas-reliefs etched before me, and return back to a haven for the senses, Heritage Suites. Located near to the gate of Angkor Wat just outside of town, I take a late morning nap in my colonial style room overlooking the main swimming pool. Over an aromatic Royal Khmer lunch, my hosts help me to map out tomorrow’s plans for discovering the ancient kingdom of Angkor’s most magical spots. After our meal, I delight in this hotel’s secluded alcoves, old prints, silver objects, fine woodcarvings, teapots shaped like birds, lacquer chests, and mythical maps. Heritage Suites is truly a place for romantic dreamers like me.
For dinner, we dine at The Embassy Restaurant and savour delectable signature dishes including noum pao style seafood and sausage pancakes, and sticky black rice porridge with crispy duck.
After reaching Pakse in Laos, I board the boutique-style hotel riverboat Vat Phou for a 3-day cruise down the Mekong River. Here in southern Laos, I pass through stunning landscapes, and witness the mythical UNESCO World Heritage site, Vat Phou.
Mount Phousi projects herself proudly over the small, historic village of Luang Prabang. My radiant hostess greets me at Satri House. Sitting amid exquisite Lao silk pillows and throws in the place that once belonged to the “Red Prince”, she tells me about the ancient art of silk weaving by women who still adorn their hair with elaborate hair combs and headdresses inherited from their ancestors. She encourages me to explore paddy fields and watch the elephants at work in the nearby jungle. After a delicious lunch, and a rest in my canopy bed adorned with sweeping long swags of silk, I spend some time alone in the quiet garden to soak in the spirit of place that embodies refinement and calm. Here at Satri House, I feel regal.
My next stop takes me to Muang La Resort, another exceptional place owned by a man who dreamt of owning a lodge that was surrounded by rainforest in the heart of northern Laos. Over a delightful lunch facing the river, he tells me about local animist tribes with whom he has woven a profound relationship. The pleasure continues with my Laotian massage. I unwind further in the river’s medicinal hot springs. Surrounded by nature and a rural ambience, my stay at Muang La is akin to being somewhere between heaven and earth. Unable to discover anything new regarding my medallion, I make my way over to the Land of Smiles in Thailand.
Standing in the main courtyard in Chiang Mai at Rachamankha, soft golden rays envelop the palm trees around me. A door to a bygone world of this elegant home anchored in time opens. Amid exotic scents that permeate the air, the owner tells me: “Four centuries of Buddhist history can be found here. But the biggest secret here at Rachamankha lies in its balance, which respects the law of ancient builders: divine proportion, like the one Leonardo Da Vinci illustrated.”
I delight in discovering Thailand’s second largest city. Its rich traditions, vibrant art scene and artisanal handicrafts are a pure delight. Together with its hilltribes and various adventure activities, Chiang Mai captivates.
Just before I depart, my host takes me to dine at Terra & the Farmer’s bar. Set in a beautiful garden with a greenhouse, we indulge in modern Provencal cuisine with a Thai twist on the terrace. Delightful.
In northern Thailand, near the border of Myanmar, where the tops of golden pagodas glitter, the small, artsy town of Pai offers an idyllic adventure escape. Celebrating the heady days of romance, exploration and elegance from the early 20th century, Reverie Siam feels like a dream. After a quiet stroll along the riverbank to absorb the picturesque views of the Pai River and surrounding mountains, and a delicious Mediterranean dinner, I return to my sumptuous villa and instantly fall into a deep slumber. During my stay at this hippy-chic boutique, filled with European antiques and traditional handicrafts, I trek around the national park to glimpse at the abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes. I soak in the nearby hot springs, wander around the countryside, and spend an uplifting afternoon riding on an elephant.
In Myanmar, once known as Burma, I gain a completely different perspective on Asia. From its cities to its rural countryside, this country’s spirit and charm of yesteryear moves my soul. Without any more hints about my father’s emblem, I push east into the heart of China.
In Yunnan, where white clouds float softly above tall mountainous peaks, I reach the tea plantations in Puer. I am introduced to the tea ceremony, gōngfū. Porcelain cup in hand, my black Puer tea has more aroma than a rose garden. I visit other areas, each with their own individual charms—Dali, Kunming...
I stop to discover “the Land of Milk and Honey”, regaling in the capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu’s rich history, spicy Sichuan